Schumann’s Musical Maxims.
ROBERT SCHUMANN, one of Germany’s most gifted musicians, gave some excellent maxims to his pupils. Here are some of them: “Always play as if a master were listening to you.” “When you play, never concern yourself as to your listeners.” “Never toy with your instrument; always play with life, and never leave a piece half finished.” “If you are to play for any one, make no fuss about it; do it right away or not at all.” “Play in time; the performances of many artists are like the walk of a drunken man. Never pattern after them.” “Never play anything fashionable. Time is precious. One would need a hundred lives to learn to know all the good things that have been written.” “You must not circulate poor music; do your best to suppress it.” “Never believe that the old music is out of date. Just as little as a beautiful and true word, can good music be laid on the shelf.”